NORTH READING — The North Reading Police and North Reading Community Impact Team’s Youth Substance Use Prevention Coalition are again partnering with the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) to encourage residents to safely dispose of unused and outdated prescription medication.
The next Rx Take Back Day will be held on Saturday, April 27 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the O’Leary Senior Center front parking lot. The service is free and anonymous. Pet medication is also accepted.
Since 2017, the North Reading Police Department has collected 3,008 pounds of unused prescription drugs.
Removing these substances from homes is an important step to protect residents and students. According to two recent and comprehensive studies by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), the most common source of illegal drugs for children is the medicine cabinet in their home.
In order to maintain safety and efficiency, residents can remain in their vehicles during the drop off event. Signs will direct cars to enter one way, off Bow Street, drop off their unused medications directly into bins held by NRPD Detectives, and exit as directed under the guidance of NRPD officers via Haverhill Street.
“In addition, the Community Impact Team is offering free drug deactivation bags. These bags contain chemicals to render drugs inactive and are suitable for pills, patches, and liquid medications. The sealable bags can then be disposed of safely in the trash. Flushing medications can create a negative environmental impact,” commented Drug-Free Communities Grant Director Amy Luckiewicz.
Deactivation bags can also be delivered to any Meals on Wheels client, in partnership with the O’Leary Senior Center and are available at the North Reading Food Pantry. They can also be delivered to home mailboxes. To receive a free drug deactivation bag, contact Amy Luckiewicz at coalition@northreadingma.gov or call (978)357-5054.
If you or a loved one need assistance with accessing mental health or substance abuse treatment, contact North Reading Mental Health/Substance Use Clinician Laura Miranda at 978-357-5038 or email lmiranda@nrpd.org.
